Successful reforms in child welfare are carried out together with clients

The Good entry into foster care model, developed within a project by Pesäpuu ry, is an example of how child welfare is being reformed based on practical needs. The aim of the model is to strengthen the participation, commitment, and attachment of young people placed in institutional care and their loved ones to the foster care placement.

The background to this is a real challenge: unauthorized absences from foster care placements, i.e., running away, are a significant risk factor for some young people placed in foster care. Young people say that one reason for this may be a failed start: they have not been able to bond with their new surroundings and people.

Minna Alastalo, who works at Siun Sote in the North Karelia welfare region, says that the arrival phase is particularly important, but it has not been studied in Finland or internationally.

"When a child enters foster care, it is a big and often frightening change. We wanted to create a model that makes this moment as clear and safe as possible for both the child and the family. The goal is to create a sense of trust and security, which are core issues in child welfare. At the same time, the model also helps employees: when there is a clear path and defined responsibilities, nothing is left undone," says Alastalo.

"The experiences opened my eyes"

The development of the model began by inviting young people and their loved ones to share their experiences and views. This was a new approach in North Karelia, and it took time to find participants, but ultimately it led to valuable dialogue. Families felt that they were being listened to, and the young people's voices added depth to the development process and forced professionals to consider their own work from a new perspective.

"I have been working in foster care for eight years, but hearing the young people's experiences made me stop and think. It made me think about the kinds of encounters I have offered and how things feel for families," says Alastalo.

The introduction of the model at Siun Sote last winter has brought clarity to processes and increased the amount of work done with parents. One thing that young people particularly appreciate is the welcome package, which includes a soft toy, for example.

"The idea was to give care and concern a concrete form. There were doubts beforehand, but the soft toy has been the most popular item," Alastalo smiles.

The template is freely available for use

The Good entry into foster care model is available to anyone who wants to improve the smoothness of the initial placement phase and strengthen trust in child welfare services. In addition, the model supports the goal of wellbeing services counties to reduce changes and disruptions in foster care placements, which brings both security and cost savings.

The model can be used as is or adapted to the needs of your own unit. The model's instructions and materials can be found on the Pesäpuu ry website.

The Good start to foster care model is part of a broader development effort supported by the SOILA coordination of THL and Pesäpuu ry. The model was funded by the EU's Safety Nets for the Future program.

Kuva:
Minna Alastalo, project specialist 
Safety nets for the future of young people in North Karelia project
Photo: Antti Pitkäjärvi